unchained1978 said:I'm looking to get one of my professors a book/gift as a thank you, as he's helped me a lot with my undergraduate studies over the past two years. I was thinking about getting him an interesting book, so I was wondering if anyone knew of some good ones (preferably physics/science related). He specializes in gamma ray astronomy and supernovas, and astrophysics in general. I thought about getting him a copy of Newton's Principia, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions?
The Principia is a far a better bet than a book on his specialty. He has all the good ones on his specialty on his bookshelf already. There's no professional need for the Principia, but it has huge historical value. If there's a way you can sneak a peek at his bookshelf, see if he already has a copy. If he does you'll have to find something else. If he doesn't, he might well put your copy there, not so much for its technical value but for its sentimental value. And that sentimental value is exactly why you are thinking of this gift.unchained1978 said:I thought about getting him a copy of Newton's Principia, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions?
D H said:Lasers are a dime a dozen. He may well have a bunch of those already, too.
A good book for a professor should be well-researched, well-written, and relevant to their area of expertise. It should also have a clear and organized structure, and offer new insights or perspectives on the subject.
It is generally preferred for a book to be current, especially if it covers a rapidly evolving field. However, older books that are considered classic or foundational in a particular subject may still be valuable to a professor's teaching.
Professors may find textbooks, academic journals, and monographs to be particularly useful for their teaching. These types of books tend to be more focused and in-depth, making them suitable for use in a classroom setting.
A professor should consider their course objectives, the level of their students, and the availability and relevance of the book before making a decision. They may also seek recommendations from colleagues and review the book's content and reviews before choosing it for their course.
Yes, a book that is well-written, engaging, and informative can appeal to both academic and non-academic audiences. However, it may depend on the subject matter and the writing style of the book.